Daily Devotional

March 14

Thine Is My Heart: Devotional Readings from the Writings of John Calvin

by John Calvin (compiled by John H. Kromminga)

Bible Text:

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. —II Timothy 2:19

Devotional:

It is true that we do not presume to enter into the secret counsel of God, to know thoroughly his wonderful secrets; but if we do not know that God chose us before the world was made, this deprives us of a comfort which is not only profitable for us, but more than necessary. The devil could find no better means to destroy our faith than to hide this article from us. Why?

I ask you, what kind of situation would we be in? And especially nowadays, when there are so many rebels, so many hypocrites, yes, and such as look for wonders at men's hands, might we not think that the like might befall us? But then how should we be constant to rest ourselves upon God, and commit ourselves to him with settled hearts, not doubting that he will care for us to the end?

How could we do this unless we flee to this election as our only refuge? For it would seem that God breaks his promise to us which he gives us touching his gospel, and that Jesus Christ is hunted out of the world. This is the chiefest cause and best means that Satan could find to bring us out of touch with the gospel.

Therefore let us hold fast these weapons in spite of Satan's teeth. For these must be our defense; let us be confirrmed, I mean, in the election of our God, and let us make it available, and see that it be not taken from us, if we value and love the salvation of our souls.

And let us take these weapons all from our deadly enemies who would hide such a doctrine from us, knowing that the devil stirs them up to deprive us of a comfort which if we lack we cannot be assured of our salvation; which, notwithstanding, we have to desire more than anything else. —Sermons

John Calvin was the premier theologian of the Reformation, but also a pious and godly Christian pastor who endeavored throughout his life to point men and women to Christ. We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for permission to use John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart as our daily devotional for 2013 on the OPC Web site. You can currently obtain a printed copy of that book from Reformation Heritage Books.

Dr. Joel Beeke, who is editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, has this to say:

"Calvin shows us the piety of a Reformed theologian who speaks from the heart. Having tasted the goodness and grace of God in Jesus Christ, he pursued piety by seeking to know and do God’s will every day. He communed with Christ, practicing repentance, self-denial, and cross-bearing. Moreover, his theology worked itself out in heart-felt, Christ-honoring piety. The selections of this devotional bear this out, and hopefully will be used by God to direct pious hearts in our own day."

These devotional readings from John Calvin were compiled by John H. Kromminga. Be sure to read his "Introduction" to John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart.